Manchester United didn’t sign Isco because “his head is too big for his body”

This isn't a pisstake.

In Moneyball, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, despairs after a meeting about potential signings with his scouting team. "I like Perez. He's got a classic swing. It's a real clean stroke," one veteran scout says, before adding a caveat.

"There's some work to be done, I'll admit that. And he's got an ugly girlfriend. An ugly girlfriend means no confidence. I'm just saying, we're trying to replace Giambi and this guy's girlfriend is a 6 at best."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6naO8n6HsqE The film is based on real events. Otherwise, you would think someone had to have made up the scene. It's hard to fathom that a scout could dismiss a player for such nonsensical reasons. However, it appears such outlandish logic isn't just confined to baseball. According to ESPN's Andy Mitten, Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Isco because of the size of his head. Mitten, who extensively covers United, writes that the club sent a scout to watch the midfielder in action back in 2013, when he played for Malaga. The scout reported back that Isco's "head is too big for his body" and United decided against trying to sign him.

"Towards the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's time at Manchester United, a senior club scout was dispatched to assess Isco, then at Malaga. The player was watched several times, before the report was filed back that he wasn't considered good enough to move to Manchester United. 'He's good, but not quite quick enough and his head is too big for his body,' was the verdict on the then 21-year-old playmaker."

United's loss was Real Madrid's gain. He joined the Spanish club that summer and has become a key player, helping them win La Liga and three Champions League titles. Isco and his enormous head showed United what they were missing in the Super Cup final on Tuesday night. The midfielder scored against Jose Mourinho's side and won the man of the match award in the 2-1 win.